6 Things Everyone Should Do Before They Retire

No, not the Jack Nicholson movie. Or at least, not exactly. A bucket list is a fairly recent phenomenon in which people create lists of things they will, or want, to do before they die.

Admittedly, it's a pretty darn grim thought. We know already that at some point we are all going to die, but we cannot worry about dying, or we will miss living.

I'd like to offer a new spin on the good ol' bucket list - for your career: The AARP list, a.k.a., the things you want to do before you retire.

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While everybody is bound to have a different list, unique to their industry, location, and experience, here are a few things I think everyone should do before they retire:

Mentor a student

There is nothing more rewarding than being a mentor to someone at the very beginning of their career. Whether it's a college student, intern, or even an entry-level employee at the company you work at, they will benefit from your experience, knowledge and guidance.

Take a risk

Too many of us "play it safe" to a fault. Obviously, having a reliable job is paramount when it comes to having a family and planning for retirement. However, in your early years, take a risk or two. Try out that start-up company with the great vision - shoot, start up your own company! This experience not only is valuable in your career, but it can really pay off.

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Invest in yourself

Whether it's going back to school to get a degree or training to develop a new skill, it's important to invest in yourself throughout your career. Many companies today encourage this exact thing! Take the time to invest in yourself to improve as a professional and as a person.

Influence a company

Nothing is less satisfying than the feeling that you're just a cog in the machine. Too many employees are afraid to offer their insight and ideas to their superiors out of fear that they might get dismissed. You never know when your next idea is going to be the thing that makes your company soar.

Negotiate a raise

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You might be thinking, "Ugh, I'm a terrible negotiator, no way." Just like offering an idea, an employee should be comfortable asking for a raise. The key is to pick the right time and have evidence to back yourself up.

Love your job

This is possibly the most important thing everyone should do in their life. When we spend more than a third of nearly every day of our working years as an employee, shouldn't we love what we do? Of course, not every job you have will be the best ever, but everyone should have that experience at least once.

Make your mark

A bucket list contains our ideas for what we want to do that will make our life fulfilling. In many cases, it is the thing(s) we do to leave our mark on the world. Make it a point to find the thing you love to do and do it to the best of your ability. Share what you do with everyone, and gratefully recognize those who support your dreams and make the pursuit of all your goals possible.

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What do you think?What other things would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Tony Morrison is the Vice President of Business Development at Cachinko, a unique professional community where social networking and job opportunities come together. His roles include sales, marketing, and business development. He is passionate about building B2B and B2C client relationships and brings this passion to Cachinko where he focuses on helping job seekers to find their ideal job and employers to find, attract, and engage their next rock star candidates. Find him on Twitter and Talent Connection. And, connect with Cac